A Granular motion simulation by discrete element method

A granular system is defined as a group of tiny particles; they interact with each other by collisions and elastic force. To analyze granular dynamics, conventional methods based on continuum mechanics are not applicable, so new simulation methods are needed. Recently, thanks to improvement in computing technology, the discrete element method (DEM) is being focused on, in which equations of motion are built on each particle and the behavior of all particles is analyzed by solving those equations. In this paper, a computer program has been developed to analyze particle dynamics by using the discrete element method. As examples, the particle packing process and mono-component non-contact development process in a laser printer are simulated. It is seen that the particle motions in the processes are well described by the program.